No fewer than five persons were feared dead, while many were injured when an oil barge reportedly laden with Petro Motor Spirit [PMS] exploded yesterday morning at the tank farm belonging to one of the petroleum products marketing firms; MRS Oil and Gas located at Tin Can Island port in Lagos.
No fewer than five persons were feared dead, while many were injured when an oil barge reportedly laden with Petro Motor Spirit [PMS] exploded yesterday morning at the tank farm belonging to one of the petroleum products marketing firms; MRS Oil and Gas located at Tin Can Island port in Lagos.
The explosion, which occurred twice; first at about 11.30 am and another about 15 minutes later, shook buildings, shattered glass doors and windows of buildings located around the tank farm, including the administrative building of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), a terminal operator; Ports and Cargo Handling Services and a nearby branch of First Bank, a development which caused most port operators to shut-down their business premises.
But for the quick arrival of two tug boats belonging to the Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA), the fire which erupted as a result of the explosion would probably have razed down the whole of Tin can port.
Our correspondent also learnt that a vessel called MV Sebring Express and fire fighting boats from Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency [NIMASA] also assisted to combat the inferno from the jetty, while the federal and state fire services in conjunction with fire fighting trucks belonging to other oil and gas companies were able to support from the quayside. Fire-fighting vehicles belonging to neighbouring Integrated Oil Services and others were sighted by our correspondent.
Eye witnesses told our correspondent that fire fighters from Lagos state government, Federal fire fighters and others from the private companies within the Apapa axis could not access the jetty of MRS where the barge was anchored, hence the decision to attack it from the quayside.
Confirming the causalities to reporters, Director of Information, National Emergency Management Agency [NEMA] South West Zone, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye said that a total of five ‘minor’ casualty cases were recorded as at the time of briefing the press, even as he stressed that causes and details of the explosion could not yet be ascertained.
According to him, majority of those affected by the explosion were staff of the organization.
While fielding questions from reporters, Executive Director, Ship Trading Operation, of MRS Oil and Gas Limited Mr. Marcus Storafi denied that the barge in question was loaded with petroleum products as at the time of the explosion.
Storafi also denied that casualty was recorded as a result of the explosion.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Mallam Habib Abdullahi has ordered full investigations into the blast.
The Managing Director gave this instruction while visiting the scene of the blast yesterday.
According to a statement issued yesterday, the investigation is to be conducted by the Health Safety and Environment department in conjunction with Marine and Fire Service department of NPA to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the incident.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director has appealed to all stakeholders especially port users to go about their normal business activities, stressing that the blast has not in any way affected Port operations.
Discussion about this post